Want the new iPad Pro or iPad Air? Well, prepare to bring your own charger in the EU and UK

In the European Union and the UK, the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models don’t come with a charger in the box anymore. It might catch you off guard, considering this is the first time Apple’s pulled this move with its tablets, even though iPhones have been charger-free for a while now.

The move to ditch the charger might bum out some customers, but it’s likely driven by environmental concerns. Apple says cutting out the charger helps cut down on electronic waste. Many people already have chargers from previous iPhones or iPads, so tossing in a new one with each device just adds to the waste.

 
Still, you’ll probably need to snag one at some point anyway, which leads to another possible reason. Not including a charger might allow Apple to increase its profit margin.

Another reason Apple might be skipping the charger is to cut down on production costs. The idea could be to eventually pass those savings on to us, the consumers, in the form of a lower price tag, but that hasn’t really happened yet.

 
Some people believe there are other motives too, like nudging users toward newer tech like wireless charging. But let’s be honest, the charger move has sparked quite a debate. Some say it’s a hassle for us consumers and just a cash grab for Apple. On the flip side, some think it’s a win for the environment.

The new iPad Air M2 (2024) with USB-C charging cable (Image Credit–Apple)